They had reminded Chloe that they had raised her to understand the purpose and the sanctity of marriage. Just because a man and a woman liked each other and shared a mutual desire for children didn’t mean they should take marriage vows together. It was their mother who had added that a ticking biological clock was no substitute for a rapidly beating heart. Chloe had groaned in response to that overly fanciful analogy—as had Grace—but Chloe had finally convinced their parents that she had come to her senses. She and Donovan were marrying for all the right reasons.
Like Grace, their parents weren’t happy about the elaborate charade Bryan had concocted to divert gossip from his and Chloe’s former relationship, but they had understood the reasons behind the scheme. They had seen how bothered Donovan had been by rumors that he had disloyally pursued a woman who was already involved with his best friend. No one else could have known how hard Donovan had resisted his feelings for Chloe for that very reason.
Evelyn and Hank Pennington had understood that embarrassment and concern for Donovan’s feelings had dimmed some of Chloe’s sheer joy in her engagement. They had reluctantly conceded that Bryan’s plan was worthwhile if it would draw media attention away from Chloe and Donovan—and if Grace didn’t mind being the subject of public scrutiny, herself. They had known even as they spoke that Grace would do almost anything for her sister.
“Grace?” her mother prodded, reminding her that it was her turn to speak. “Are you still there?”
“Oh. Yeah, sorry, Mom. I got distracted for a minute. You said something about the party?”
“Yes. Everything seems to be on track, from what the hostesses have told. They’re really going all out. Not that it will be anything like those fancy shindigs you and Bryan have been attending, of course. I doubt this one will make the national society pages.”
“Good,” Grace said fervently.
“I hope Bryan will manage to enjoy himself. He won’t know anyone, of course, and I’m not sure he’s used to small-town society. We aren’t exactly New York City around here. Heck, we aren’t even Little Rock.”
“Don’t worry, Mom. Bryan has a good time wherever he goes. And he might have grown up rich, but he still grew up in Arkansa
s.”
“How is his arm? I’ve been so concerned about him.”
“He’s healing just fine,” Grace assured her, as she had the last two times she’d talked with her mother since Sunday.
“Did you see the new article in the state newspaper today? The interview with that woman whose children he saved? She thinks he’s practically a saint. She went on and on about what a hero he was to risk his own life to save her babies. And she said he’s called to check on them and he’s sent gifts to the children. I’m sure the national media will jump on this story.”
“They already have. And they’re probably embroidering it as we speak,” Grace said wryly. “By the time the tabloids report it, Bryan will have saved a dozen kids and suffered grievous injuries, himself.”
“You’re probably right,” Evelyn agreed with a sigh.
“But Bryan really was a hero on Sunday,” Grace added, for honesty’s sake, and because she knew her mother would like hearing it. “I’ve never personally seen a braver act in my whole life.”
“Have the reporters been calling you to ask about what happened?”
“A few called. I’ve simply told them that I’m glad the children are okay, and that I’m also relieved Bryan wasn’t seriously injured. Other than that, I have no comment—which frustrates them no end, of course.”
“I must say you’re handling all this media attention better than I expected. I was afraid you might grow impatient with the silly speculation and lose that famous temper of yours.”
“It’s been a close call a few times,” Grace admitted. “I just keep reminding myself that this is all for Chloe’s sake.”
“And you would do anything for your sister—just as she would for you.” Evelyn obviously took great satisfaction from that observation about her children’s loyalty to each other.
“I’d really better get back to work, Mom. Is there anything else you want to discuss before I go?”
“No. I just wanted to visit with you. I’ll see you Friday.”
“Yes. Friday.”
“I love you, honey.”
“Love you, too, Mom. Bye, now.”
Grace hung up the phone, then hid her face in her hands. She had known from the beginning that this plan of Bryan’s wasn’t going to be easy. She just hadn’t realized exactly how complicated it would be.
She hadn’t understood how deeply involved she would become with her co-conspirator.
Chapter Ten
Grace was almost relieved when Bryan was summoned out of town for a business crisis late Wednesday afternoon. He called her at the shop to tell her he had to go, and to promise that he would be back in time for the party Friday evening.